Thomas Greiss assigned to team in Swedish Elite League after getting no starts in Worcester

DENVER — Turns out Thomas Greiss was the odd man out in Worcester as well as San Jose this season.

The Sharks have assigned the German-born Greiss to Brynas of the Swedish Elite League after it became clear that Alex Stalock was going to get the playing time in Worcester.

Here’s the official explanation:

Advertisement

“We’ve always had a commitment to goaltender development and we feel that Thomas has a great chance to play a lot of games and continue his improvement with Brynas,” stated Wayne Thomas, the assistant general manager of the San Jose Sharks who also works with the team’s goalies.

When the Sharks acquired Antti Niemi and Antero Niittymaki this summer, Greiss lost his shot at getting more starts in the NHL. He went unclaimed on waivers and was sent to Worcester on October 13, but didn’t appear in a game with the AHL development team.

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

It’s interesting for much the same reason as Nate Davis is interesting. The fan base seems to have a distorted view of things–We think Greiss was outstanding, and that it’s unfortunate what happened. I don’t think anyone will argue it isn’t unfortunate what happened, but on the other hand–29 teams passed on him when he was sent down; some of those teams were in need of a backup or, hell, starting goalie. Twenty-nine teams passed when he was sent down, and twenty-nine teams didn’t appear to inquire while he was down. Minnesota, whose coach is more than familiar with Greiss, took a pass when his backup went down.

But certain elements of the fanbase treat Greiss like he was The Solution, the key element that if he’d only gotten a chance, he’d solve a lot of problems–Just like Nate Davis. But whenever he actually played, he did alright, but he didn’t do outstanding. He played okay for Germany, but Germany still got bounced around the walls. He did okay when he was in nets last year, but nothing to really distinguish himself.

I hope that doesn’t sound like I’m bagging on him, I’ve always thought it was unfortunate that he didn’t get the chance to prove himself, and a part of me thinks the same thing those elements of the fanbase think, that he might have been Jesus Greiss, Super Star, had he only gotten that opportunity… But at the same time–29 teams? I dunno. Maybe we’re just too stubborn to see something 29 other coaches and GMs see.

Nick

(And before anyone says anything–Look at the pronouns I used. “We.” You all know how I feel about the distinction between “We” and “They,” so understand that when I say “We think Greiss was oustanding…” that means I include myself in that category. Alright? Alright. Now hate on!)

evilducks

Those 29 teams have their own unproven goalies they think might have a chance. This is different than when Bryzgolov got waived, he’d proven he could play and got snatched up. Greiss never got the opportunity, despite many of us thinking he’s earned a chance. We sent Kippersoff packing before he ever got a chance too.

Alex

Nick, there’s nothing to hate on, I totally agree. Greiss played ok when he got a chance but nothing to brag about.
I wish him well.

Did

I’d say that Kiprusoff got about the same chance as Bryzgalov did.

Both played in 50-60 games before traded, Bryzgalov however started with three shutouts in the playoffs for the Ducks in his first three playoff games in 2006.

The fact that we got a 2nd round pick for Kiprusoff and the Ducks got nothing for Bryzgalov probably simply shows how the market for goaltenders was at the times since I can’t say that DW is a better GM than Brian Burke.

Greiss however never really got a chance to prove himself so if things don’t go well for the Sharks one can wonder what could have been. But if the team plays well and goes deep into the playoffs then I don’t think that many will question the move.

GShark

Still I think Greiss would not have done worse than our two finish ok but also not outstanding 2 million place holders.

With this move DW gave away value. Somehow one can not argue against the signing of Niemi because he won the cup last year and played really good against us. The signing of the first fin still was misjudgement of the FA situation when you take into consideration how cheap others could be had later.

He should have given Greiss the opportinity. I see no potential in N and N that Greiss could not match. At least N and N have proven they are not The solution. I don’t have unshakable faith in Niemi also until he has proven that he can steal games without a defense like he had last year. NHL caliber keepers can get hot and have an outstandig steak from time to time. That happened to many goalies in the past and one season later they did prove that they are not the Real Thing. Ok Niemi had the hot streak in the playoffs. Still it was with the by far best team in front of him. A team that turned out to be way over the cap for the 10/11 season. Everyone knows the circumstances.

I do not like it. I do not understand it.

I know that DW and his team know better but after the huge contract to Wallin and the more than poor deadline deals in the past, I somehow start to doubt and think this team could be in a better position.

Snow Shovel

hockeyrocks (previous thread) – thanks for the Dick Bright name and link. I’ll check it out tomorrow.

Neal

Greiss might come back with the Sharks once they unload one of the two goalies and get some defensive help but I have seen Stalock play in the pre-season and this guy might be better then the other 3 right now.

hockeyrocks

Sharks leading 2-1 and now they’re on the PP – goal #3 coming up!

Snow Shovel

He was in his element
Mile high against the Avs,
And just like in the playoffs
My money was on Pavs!

Nick

That appears to be the plan, Neal. Two Finns this year, re-sign whichever works best next year, tandem with Stalock. Year after next, Stalock is #1, someone else is backup.

Probably.

Snow Shovel

Except for that bad clear that led to a goal against him, Niitty looked very good. Agreed?

Phantom

#14

Yes. Let’s see him some more. Miss Greisser after watching Nemo.

GP

Only 77 more wins to go!

Nick

Hrm, Sharks win, Giants lose. My theory that we can only have one good team in the Bay Area at a time strengthens.

red menace

what a stupid penalty by Wallin. he is so dumb lucky that did not cost them the game.

me

You’re wrong GP. Being perfect the rest of the season won’t matter — if you know what I’m talking about.

GP

We’ll see me!

WI JP

Liked that young 3rd line. Mitchell starting to look good.

Would like to have seen Pavs get his 1st hat trick, but then, his 1st two goals were not exactly things of beauty.

Victory, due to the 5 on 3, probably, but they all count.

Nite. JP

landerik

Demers was solid tonight. Looks more and more like a bona fide top 4 defenseman.

TankGirl

Not saying this is the only reason they won (after all, it’s very clear they got a video and audio butt-whupping by TMac after Tuesday’s game), but…

…they seem to be more at ease and more confident with Niitty in net than with Niemi. Maybe Niitty communicates better with the D-men?

Another game or two will reveal more, but that’s just my observation after tonight’s game. We’ll see if my theory sticks.

They still have kinks to work out in the D. but some improvement.
And nice to see the puck actually going in the net for the front guys. More target practice in traffic in practice may help (someone else said that on a previous thread, and I agree!).

Looking forward to the next one…and the 76 after that one, too. 😉

GP

So far I’ve been encouraged by Demers. He actually has a little bit of an edge too — on occasion.

His defensive play has picked up so far overall, IMO.

SharkFin

Sharks nation breathes a small sigh of relief. Observations from tonight:

1. I mentioned Jamal Mayer and a a 4th line that might differentiate the Sharks as a reason for hope b/f this game- they looked trustworthy with the puck, all 3 looked good together, and it was nice to see a Sharks 4th line play some solid, meaningful minutes.

2. In the first 10 minutes it looked like they were getting pucks deeper. Of course it’s all connected- D going back, quick outlet passes, chips to get puck deeper.

3. I sensed the FW’s coming back more and paying a little more attention to D.

4. I’ll take a victory. Too nitpick in context to the panic b/f this game, I hope the Sharks will learn a killer instinct. After they scored on the 5 on 3, I would have bet $1 that they’d coast on the remaining 5 on 4- and they did. I hope they learn to bury teams (but after they learn how to win:)

5. I like McGinn’s toughness. He seems like an irritant to other teams

GP

SharkFin, I agree on the PP to certain level. The second PP unit was on most that 2nd part of that PP after the goal. The second unit didn’t have a good night on the PP.

GP

Just looked at the boxscore. TOI was nicely distributed by the coach. Boyler had the most but less than 20min only Mayers and McCarthy had less than 10. Probably because they aren’t on the penalty kill right now.

g-man

Niittymaki played a solid game. Came up with some big saves, looking through traffic. I like his play better than Niemi’s so far this season. Hope he gets the next start as well.
The defense is still watching the puck too much. They ended up turtling around the net way too often and screening out their own goalie. Not a sucessful approach IMHO.
Pavs has the Avalanches number. Maybe the altitude clears his head?

BASS

TankGirl – “…they seem to be more at ease and more confident with Niitty in net than with Niemi. Maybe Niitty communicates better with the D-men?”

I noticed that also, maybe it’s because they don’t have to hold back for rebound clean up duty with Niitty and can concentrate on the breakout the other way. Did you notice that the breakout transition was much better? Coincidence?

I’m just glad they won and played well, for the most part.

GSDI

Tano

Positive strides last night, although the first goal by the Avs gave me the old “deja vu all over again” feeling.
The boys recovered well from that incident to take the lead, fewer discombobulated moments, reuniting big Joe & Patty worked well, Mayers ain’t Malhotra but he got an assist and for a first game he did ok. I liked what the enegizer bunny brought to the ice, nice to see. Nitti had some very tough saves, that’s a positive as well.

Slowe Clowe is gaining, slowly, momentum, and welcome back Pavs, we have not really seen you since the Detroit series….

GBF

Nitty has made the tougher saves and I think his style works a lot better with our team. If he can eliminate those bonehead goals (first one last night, the trickler from Nash in Sweden) he might just earn himself a starting job.

Granted thats after all of two starts.

Also McGinn was a monster last night even though it didn’t show up on the score sheets. He was everywhere at both ends and almost scored several times. If he keeps that up he won’t be the only one of the top 9 without a goal for very long.

After the game last night I have a similar feeling to some of you. It looks like the team is more comfortable playing in front of Nitty than Nemo. I was thinking there is even a possibility that some of the sharks are a bit bitter with Nemo due to last year and his coming in ousting Griess. Obviously that is total speculation but I wouldn’t rule out the possibility. More likely though they are just nervous due to his terrible rebound control.

In general I think the team looked much better last night. I was glad to see TMac go back to last years lines. The top two lines seemed to click nicley once they were back together and the 3rd line with Couture centering looked great. Mayers looks to be a good addition to the 4th line in his first game back.

evilducks

Aside from the bad penalty in the 3rd, Wallin looked pretty good out there and has been fairly solid the last couple of games. He nearly put the game away last night when he rung the puck off the iron in the 3rd.

Demers has picked up his defensive play a lot from last year and I was surprised to see him getting a little PK time towards the end of the game. I think he may turn into a top 4 dman by the end of the year.

Nitty continues to be my favorite of our two goalies. He’s much better at eating the puck than Nemo, who apparently believes in block first, block often.

Jeffy

good game last night. Great to be there with plenty of Sharks fans. There were two guys sitting near us, one with a Ricci jersey and one with Granato. Real ironic.

First period was a toss up I thought. Sharks owned period two and then we sat on the edge of our seats in period three while we waited to see if they were going to fold. The 4 on 3 kill was very important.

Hey Shark Fans! We’re rapidly filling up our fourth and final bus for the 1.9.2011 Sharks at Ducks bus trip. Click my name to visit the website, or find us on Facebook! The Great Shark Infestation Bus Trip

Snow Shovel

Hey, Left Field, you’re taking over my job! 🙁

Just Kidding. Good work, I like it!!

Johnny San Jose

What did I tell you all… The Jamal Mayers factor was the difference. Everyone settles down when he’s in the lineup 😉

Am I a prophet? Or what?

I didn’t mind the way the team played last night. Overall, a couple of mistakes but nothing the other team didn’t do themselves.

Much happier with the defense and forwards collectively playing team defense. Nitty looked confident (minus his one puck-clearing attempt).

Tougher game tomorrow night in Calgary. Home for a few of the boys so hopefully they’ll play well in front of their friends/family.